BOYS HOOPS: Ironwood Ridge beat Flowing Wells to keep playoff hopes alive
January 30, 2017 by Andy Morales, AZPreps365
Ironwood Ridge is clinging to one of the final spots in the 5A play-in tournament and the Nighthawks improved their chances with a 66-49 win at Flowing Wells Monday night. Ranked 23rd coming, the Nighthawks need to finish the year ranked in the top 24 to qualify for the tournament scheduled for Friday, Feb. 10.
Ironwood Ridge improved to 8-16 on the year and 6-9 in power-point games while Flowing Wells moved to 5-18 and 4-11. The Caballeros are ranked 33rd.
The Nighthawks built a 19-6 lead in the first period and held Flowing Wells off the rest of the way. Cole Gerken scored 11 points in the opening frame and finished with a game-high 19. Nick Watson added 14 and Jack McKearney scored 11.
Flowing Wells was led by Auturo Torres. Torres finished with 14 points thanks to four 3-pointers. Tymarion Florence added 10.
Gerken committed to play for Pima Community College on Saturday and the senior standout is sitting at 980 career points.
“Pima offered me in my junior year but I waited to see all the other offers,” Gerken explained. “Pima was the best for my family, I get to play on scholarship and everyone can come and see me play.”
Ironwood Ridge will travel to No. 14 Marana Mountain View on Tuesday and Flowing Wells will visit No. 36 Marana on Thursday.
Ironwood Ridge 66, Flowing Wells 49
IR: 19-15-15-17: 66
FW: 6-13-11-19: 49
IR: C. Gerken 19 (3-3); N. Watson 14 (2-3); J. McKearney 11 (2-2); D. McKearney 6; J. Drescher 5; D. Hill 4; J. Langejans 2; C. Lathrop 2; S. Schmitt 2; R. Cochran 1 (1-2). 3-Pointers: C. Gerken 2; J. Drescher; J. McKearney. 66 (8-10).
FW: J. Torres 14; T. Florence 10; T. Harris 7 (4-5); G. Woolridge 7; D. Harris 3; J. Burgess 5 (3-5); M. Borboa 2; D. Kellogg 1 (1-2); A. Williams 0 (0-2). 3-Pointers A. Torres 4; G. Woolridge; T. Harris; D. Harris. 49 (8-14).
